Why is Asia known as a Continent of Contrasts?

Asia is known as a Continent of Contrasts because of its political as well as physical geography.

Physically, it has the highest mountain peaks including the Mount Everest in Nepal and many of the longest rivers. It has the earth's lowest surfaces, the shore of the Dead Sea, 392 m below sea level in Israel. The Plateau of Tibet is the highest and most expansive plateau.

Climatically, it has recorded the highest temperature in Jacobabad in Pakistan and the lowest temperature in Verkhoyansk in Siberia. It receives the highest rainfall at Mawsynram near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya in India and has the largest area with less than 25 cm of rainfall per annum in desert regions.

Its vegetation varies from mosses and lichens of the Arctic region to the lush green forests of the equatorial regions. It has some of the most densely populated regions of the world (like Hong Kong, China etc.) whereas some parts of it have scarce population (like Siberia).

Asia has some of the world's most fertile river valleys like Ganga and Indus, Hwang Ho etc., which grow all kinds of rich crops and are densely populated. On the other hand, there are vast tracts where almost nothing can be grown and which sustain very small population, eg., Iran, Thar, Tibet etc.

It is the birth place of great religions like Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism etc.